Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March11, 2026, Michael Mulgrew, 37, of Barnegat, pled guilty to two counts of Murder before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with the deaths of his parents, Eugene Mulgrew, 71, and Cheryl Mulgrew, 69, also of Barnegat, which occurred in Barnegat Township on November 2, 2023. At the time of his sentencing on June 5, 2026, the State will be seeking two consecutive 30-year terms in New Jersey State Prison – with 30 years of parole ineligibility as to each count.
On November 2, 2023, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Officers from the Barnegat Township Police Department were summoned to a residence on Lincoln Avenue to assist medical personnel with performing a mobile outreach at the residence. As the Officers approached the residence, they observed a male walking away. Upon their arrival, Officers noticed red staining – which appeared to be blood – on the front door of the residence. The Officers made entry and found blood in various areas of the home. As the Officers entered the bedroom, they located the deceased bodies of two victims with apparent stab wounds to their upper torsos. The victims were later identified as Eugene and Cheryl Mulgrew. The Officers also observed a knife in the vicinity of the bedroom.
The male initially observed walking away from the residence was observed in the area of West Bay Boulevard and Gunning River Road by Barnegat Township Police Officers. That individual, later identified as Michael Mulgrew, was taken into custody without incident.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Michael Mulgrew was responsible for the murders of his parents. Mulgrew was charged accordingly and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since November 2, 2023.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater who is handling the case on behalf of the State and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Barnegat Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.